How Well We Live 4 April 2008

1 Peter 3:13-4:6
Friday, 4 April 2008

Around the nation today people have gathered to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Many are asking questions about the progress we have made toward the goals for which he gave his life. Still others are wondering how the message of love that he preached has been so domesticated by the holiday in his name and the deification of his memory that we no longer see it as radical or him as prophetic. A few are even asking about the circumstances under which he died; most, though, are thinking about how he lived.

Today's reading offers a question that connects forcefully with the anniversary of King's death: "Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is right?" Pause and consider the question momentarily. Recognize that while it is insane that there are people who seek to harm others for doing good, history is replete with stories of evil powers that did just that. Christ was crucified; martyrs were burned at the stake or thrown to the lions; Martin King and others died from assassins bullets, lynchers' nooses, and segregationists' bombs. Addressing this reality, Peter asserted that even when evil forces convene against God's people, what the devil meant for evil simply tranforms into a conduit of blessing. Doing right is itself a blessing, even when it leads to suffering and even death.

Contrary to the misinformation propounded by "prosperity" preachers, God's promise of abundant life is no guarantee that the life of faith will be free from trouble. In fact, the Captain of our faith, Jesus Christ suffered unjustly and died a horrific death. But remembering that his resurrection from the dead is the locus and source of our hope, we arm ourselves to live fully and totally for God and for good while we have a chance. After all, as my mother used to say, it doesn't matter how long you live but how well.

Sing, "If I Can Help Somebody"

Let us pray:
Lord, grant to us the faith and commitment to stand strong in face of opposition and to do good in the midst of an evil and perverse world. May we not be intimidated or ensnared by the wiles of the devil. Rather, fill us with boldness, justice, and compassion so that our living will be meaningful and our blessedness assured. We ask these favors in memory of our faithful ancestors and in the name of Jesus Christ, our Perfect Example. Amen